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Key takeaways
People without insurance may face high out-of-pocket healthcare costs, but there are ways to make prescriptions more affordable.
SingleCare offers a discount of up to 80% on prescription medications and is accepted in most major pharmacies.
Other ways to get a prescription without insurance include comparing prices between pharmacies, opting for generics, asking for a larger supply, and looking into assistance programs.
Paying for prescriptions without insurance can feel overwhelming, especially for medications that you have to take daily. For people between jobs, students, freelancers, caregivers, or anyone navigating life without health coverage, these expenses can quickly become a barrier to getting the care they need. The good news is that there are affordable ways to get prescriptions without health insurance. Sometimes, you may even pay less than the standard drug copay.
Cheapest ways to get a prescription without insurance
There are several ways to get a prescription more affordably if you don’t have prescription drug coverage. Consider the following to get your prescriptions cheaper.
1. Use a SingleCare coupon or prescription discount card
SingleCare is a prescription discount service that gives you the best prices on prescription medications without having to use insurance. SingleCare’s free coupons can save you up to 80% off on your prescription costs. You can get your SingleCare coupons or prescription discount card on the SingleCare website or through the SingleCare app.
To get started, search for your medication on SingleCare and choose a coupon for a pharmacy you want to fill your prescription at. Sign up for your coupon or discount card, which you’ll use before you pay for your medications. When picking up your prescription, you can tell your pharmacist that you’re using SingleCare and show them your coupon to get the discount.
SingleCare coupons and discount cards are accepted at over 35,000 pharmacies, including Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Costco, and independent pharmacies.
2. Shop around at different pharmacies
Prices for the same prescription can vary greatly from one pharmacy to another. “Different pharmacies can (and often do) charge different prices for the same prescription drug. This is due to differences in contracts, cash pricing, and supply chains,” says James Lyons, MD, physician at Synergy Houses in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Use price estimation tools (such as SingleCare’s Drug Price Lookup Tool) or call a few local pharmacies to find the best deal. Independent pharmacies might offer more competitive pricing than chain pharmacies, depending on your medication.
Also consider filling your prescriptions at warehouse clubs such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s. You don’t need a membership to use the pharmacy, and their prices can be lower than at retail pharmacies. It could be worth calling the store’s pharmacy department or just walking up to the pharmacy counter to get your prescription filled.
3. Ask for a 90-day supply
If your healthcare provider writes your prescription for a multiple-month supply of a medication you take regularly, the per-pill cost can be cheaper than filling it every 30 days. For example, atorvastatin (generic Lipitor) can cost as little as $8 for 30, 40 mg tablets with a SingleCare coupon, but a 90-day supply can cost as little as $12 for 90, 40 mg tablets with a SingleCare coupon. This takes the per-pill cost from $0.28 with a 30-day supply to $0.13 with a 90-day supply, a savings of over 50% per pill.
Fewer pharmacy visits can also save on dispensing or delivery fees, which some pharmacies may charge on top of your medication cost.
4. Choose generic medications when possible
Generic drugs contain the same active ingredient as brand-name versions and are typically much less expensive.
You can save up to 85% on your prescription costs by switching to a generic medication, if available. Consider asking your healthcare provider or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent is available for your prescription.
5. Visit a community health clinic
Community health clinics can be a low-cost or free way to access healthcare. They’re funded by community organizations such as federal, state, or city health departments, and sometimes nonprofit organizations. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and community clinics often have sliding-scale fees and may provide medications at reduced costs. Some even have in-house pharmacies with special pricing for uninsured patients.
RELATED: How to see a doctor when you don’t have health insurance
6. Apply for patient assistance programs (PAPs)
Some drug manufacturers and nonprofit organizations offer programs that provide brand-name medications, often at no cost, for people who qualify. Each program has its own eligibility requirements, but if you’re uninsured and have a lower income, you may be eligible.
7. Check if you’re eligible for prescription drug assistance programs
“There are also nonprofits and state programs that may be available depending on your location that could help with copays, deductibles, or prescription costs,” says Maria Ingalla, DNP, PMHNP-BC, CEO of Paperflower Psychiatry in Arizona.
Beyond national PAPs, local nonprofits, religious institutions, and even county governments sometimes provide medication vouchers or direct assistance to uninsured patients. These programs vary by location, but they can be helpful for people managing their health on a tight budget.
8. Look into Medicare or Medicaid coverage
Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides health coverage for certain groups of low-income or financially burdened people. Covered drugs often don’t have a copay, and people with Medicaid can see healthcare providers at a lower cost as well.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older. Medicare Part D is its drug benefit program that covers many common prescription medications with affordable copays. Medicare Extra Help is a program for qualifying people with Medicare Part D who need more financial help with the out-of-pocket costs of prescription drugs.
9. Work with your healthcare provider for more affordable alternatives
Healthcare providers and, sometimes, pharmacists may receive samples from pharmaceutical representatives, which they can pass along to patients to try. If samples aren’t available, they can also prescribe a cheaper alternative medication, a generic version, or adjust your treatment plan to make it more affordable.
Your healthcare provider may also refer you to programs that provide affordable care or provide documentation to support your need for medical care.
10. Consider telehealth services for certain medications
Online telehealth providers can sometimes prescribe common medications (like antibiotics or birth control) for a lower cost than an in-person visit. “Telehealth can significantly cut costs for patients—reducing travel expenses, time off work, and in some cases, visit fees. For routine prescription refills or follow-ups, virtual visits are often a more affordable option than traditional in-office care,” says Sherri Onyiego, MD, Senior Medical Director for Equality Health in Texas.
Some platforms partner with low-cost pharmacies or even have their own pharmacies to deliver prescriptions directly to you.
It’s important to know that telehealth services aren’t able to prescribe all medications, and some issues may still require an in-person visit before your healthcare provider can recommend treatment. Controlled substances like Adderall or opioid pain relievers cannot be prescribed through a telehealth visit. And having a regular healthcare provider who knows you and your health concerns improves your care. Many healthcare providers offer telehealth options in addition to in-person visits.
Bottom line
Not having insurance doesn’t mean you have to go without the medications you need. The cheapest way to get a prescription without insurance often comes down to knowing your options. These include shopping around for the best price, asking for generics, or tapping into patient assistance programs. SingleCare’s prescription discount card can also help you save up to 80% on your medication, making your treatment more affordable. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best approach for you, and remember that access to care is still possible, even without insurance.
- Find a health center, Human Resources & Services Administration
- Help with drug costs, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services